Hydrocarbon-burner



W. M. HOFFMAN.

HYDROCARBON BURNER.

APPLICATION man JUNE 1, 1920.

L 2 9 1 2 m D m 1 P x1 e 0 4 1 0 an 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM II. HOFFMAN, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL FUEL APPARATUS CORPORATION, OF BUFFAID, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

HYDROCABBON-BURNER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 27, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. Horr- MAN, citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, county of Erie, State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Hydrocarbon-Burners, anddeclare the followin to be a full, clear, and exact description 0 the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyin drawin s, which form a part of this speci cation.

y invention relates to improvements in hydrocarbon burners. The ob'ect is to provide a burner capable of a vantageously utilizing the cheaper, lower grade fuel oils.

A further object is to provide a simple, inexpensive fuel oil burner adapted to utilize the heavier grades of fuel oil with a maximum heat efficiency and leaving a minimum of residue.

A further object is to provide a fuel oil burner for the heavier, lower grade oils of .such a character that it will operate efficiently without requiring the services of an attendant.

A further object is to provide a fuel oil burner in which the fuel oil is burned in the interior of a hollow combustion chamber, through the porous refractory wall of which said fuel has been permitted to percolate to such interior.

A further object is the provision of a fuel oil burner, in which the fuel oil is permitted to percolate through the wall of a hollow combustion chamber of such a character that the temperature of the fuel is materially increased, being brought substantially to the point of volatilization before it reaches the interior of the chamber. it

These and other objects of the invention, together with details of construction, will more fully appearifrom the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through my burner. 1

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2- 2 Fig.1 1.

'g. 3 is an elevation of the burner from the rear.

Fig.4 is a section taken on the line 2-2, Fig 1,,showing a. modification.

n the accomplishment of the above objects I employ ahollow combustion chamber in the interior of which the fuel is burned, which combustion chamber is composed of a porous refractory substance. The fuel oil is brought to the outer surface of the combustion chamber wall and permitted to percolate therethrough. The porous refractory substance which composes the wall is of such a texture and porosity that the liquid fuel as it percolates therethrough is brought substantially to the point of volatilization. As fuel enters the interior of the combustion cl1amber it is mixed with the steam which enters from a steam jet positioned at one end of the chamber and it is burned therein producing an intense heat with approximately perfect combustion. The burning products of combustion issue from the open end of the combustion chamber opposite the end at which the steam jet is positioned and the combustion chamber is left practically free of any residual matter.

In the embodiment of the invention here shown the combustion chamber is in the form of a hollow cylinder. It is apparent how ever that it might be of any other shape in cross sectional area as well as circular.

As a convenient means of feeding the fuel to the outer surface of the burner wall I prefer to provide a jacket for the combustion chamber to which the fuel oil is fed, and from which it percolates to the outer surface of the wall of the combustion chamber. This jacket also serves as a container within which the fuel is heated before it enters the wall of the combustion chamber thereby facilitating its flow and assisting in bringing the fuel to the combustion point.

Let a indicate a casing, here shown in the form of a hollow cylinder, adapted to receive a removable hollow core 6 composed of suit able porous refractory 1n aterial. This casing is jacketed, and ishere shown as being jacketed but for a portion of its length as shown at 0. This jacket is supplied with fuel oil through a conduit cl from some convenient source of fuel oil supply. The casing wall. adjacent the jacketed portion is perforated as at e to permit the passage of fuel therethrpugh to the surface of the porous refractory core, interior thereof.

Disposed axially at the rear of the burner casing is a nozzle g supplied through conduit h, either with air from conduit k which leads to a convenient source of air supply through which inflow of air will be regulated by means of a valve it"; or through an additional conduit 2' with steam under pressure from a suitable source of supply, the passage of steam therethrough being regulated by means of a valve A shutter valve is leading to the atmosphere encircles this nozzle at the rear of the-casing, apertures in which are adapted to register upon manipulation, with apertures in the Casing to admit air therethrough to the interior of the burner. his nozzle is adapted to project a jet of steam or air under pressure; through the burner along the face of the burner wall so as to thoroughly mix such air or steam with the burning particles of hydrocarbon in the combustion chamber. v

In the operation of this device fuel is supplied to the jacketed wall of the casing, from where it passes through apertures c, to the porous refractory core through which it percolates to the interior surface thereof where it is burned. In Fig-Q 2 this jacketed portion is shown with a median wall f adapted to prevent the oil from flowing downwardly into the lower portion of the jacket, where it would collect and cause a surplus or overflow of oil in the lower portion ofthe burner. This retaining wall causes the liquid fuel to enter the porous core along the upper portion thereof, forcing the same to percolate downwardly therethrough into the lower half of the core.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the restraining influence of this wall is relieved by the provision of apertures therethrough so that a smallportion of the oil may flow through to the lower section of the jacket, where it would pass through perforations in the casing to the porous core. The lower portion of the jacket, shut off by the wall 7' as shown in Fig. 2, performs no necessary useful function aswill be apparent and might well be omitted.

By experimentation, I have'found that the use, in this type of burner, of a hollow core of porous refractory material, prevents to a large degree the formation of carbon on the face thereof, such asresults when oil is burned in the perforated metal casing after havingpassed through a porousrefractory filler contained in saidcasing. In the use of my. form of corethe fuelvoil escapes along theinner surface of the core through an'infinite number-of pores: after having beenheated to'arpoint substantially close to,

the point of ;volatilization,and Ithe particles ofhydrocarbonzdo not have an opportunity to. collect andcarbonize as occurs1;with the use of a perforatedrmetal plate;v The core is v: formed Tof such;,- size, and bound together in-ra-gtexturm-such asrhas been; found to'be suitable :for thecharacter offuel to be used;

A coarse open texture of core material per mitting free passage of oil therethrough and being of limited extent would be suitable for certain grades of fuel easily \olatilizett where the reverse would be true were the fuel more diflicult to reduce to a gas. The core itself is removable in order that it may be cleaned, cores being of standard size.

What I claim is:

1. In a hydrocarbon burner, a combustion chamber in the form of a hollow refrzmtory, porous core, av vapor jet producing means positioned at one end thereof adapted to project a jet of vapor therein, an encircling casing for such core provided with a jack eted portion, the inner wall. of such jacket perforated to permit the passage of fuel therethrough to the core, means for supplying fuel to said jacketed casing.

2. In a fuel oil burner, a combustion chamber in the form of a hollow refractory. porous core, a jacketed casing therefor adapted to contain liquid fuel, means for supplying liquid fuel thereto, apertures through said casing to permit the passage of fuel from the jacket to the outer surface of the core, means for projecting a jet of vapor through the core along the face thereof.

3. In a fuel oil burner, a hollow cylindrical combustion chamber open at one end, the wall of said chamber formed of a porous refractory material adapted for the percolation of fuel oil therethrough.

l. In a fuel oil burner, a hollow cylindrical combustion chamber open at one end, said combustion chamber formed of a porous refractory material adapted for the percolation of fuel oil therethrough, a. casing for such combustion chamber the upper portion of which is partially jacketed to serve as a container for fuel oil, fuel oil communicating passages through the wall of said casing to the outer surface of the combustion chamber, jet producing means positioned at the end of the combustion chamber opposite, the open end.

5. In a hydrocarbon burner, a combustion chamber, the walliof which is of refractory material adapted for the percolation of fluid therethrough, a casing for such combustion chamber adapted to contain fuel oil and provided with means for receiving fuel, and perforated to permit the passage of oil therethrough to the outer surface of the wall of the combustion chamber, means for pro jecting a steam jet into one end of said combustion chamber.

6. In a fuel oil burner, a hollow refractory porous combustion chamber, a fuel oil container positioned so as to be heated thereby and adapted for the passageof fuel therefrom to the outer surface of the wall of said chamber so same may percolate therethrough, means for forcing a vapor jet throughsuch chamber.

7. In a fuel oil burner, a hollow combustion chamber the continuous encircling wall of which is composed of a porous refractory material through which liquid fuel may be fed to be burned on the interior thereof.

8. In a fuel oil burner, a hollow combustion chamber composed of a porous refractory material of such a character that fuel oil may percolate therethrough to be burned in the interior of said chamber, said combustion chamber open at one end, means for pro'ecting a vapor jet into the other end of: sai chamber.

9. In a fuel oil burner, a hollow combustion chamber the continuous encircling wall of which is composed of a porous refractory material of such character that fuel oil may percolate therethrough to be burned in the interior thereof, means for supplying liquid fuel to the outer surface of the wall of said combustion chamber.

10. In a hydrocarbon burner, a combustion chamber in the form of a hollow refractory, porous core, means for bringin fuel oil to the outer surface of the wall thereof so it may percolate therethrough, means for pro jectin a vapor jet into one end of said core.

11. n a fuel oil burner, a hollow combustion chamber in the interior of which combustion takes place, the wallof said chamber composed of a porous, refractor material adapted for the percolation of fiquid fuel therethrough, said combustion chamber open at one end, a vapor jet producing means positioned at the opposite end of said chamber, said end of the combustion chamber provided with air draft o n 12. In a fuel oil burner, a hollow combustion chamber in the interior of which combustion takes place, said combustion chamber comprising a wall composed of a porous refractory material adapte for the percolation of liquid fuel therethrough and being open at one end, and a vapor et producin means positioned at the other end of sai chamber, air draft regulatin means also positioned at said end of the c amber.

13. In a fuel oil burner, in combination, a hollow casing, the upper portion of which is jacketed to provide a container for fuel oil, means for supplying oil thereto, a hollow combustion core composed of porous refractory material carried interiorly said casing, the inner wall of the 'acket portion of said casing perforated so t at fuel oil may pass therethrough, means for projecting a vapor jet into one end of said casing, the other end of said casing being open.

14, In a fuel oil burner, in combination, a hollow casing partially jacketed to provide a container for fuel oil, communicating passageways throu h the inner wall of the jacket portion 0 said casing, a combustion chamber in the form of a porous refractory core open at one end adapted to be removably received within said casing, vapor jet producing means positioned so as to project a jet of vapor into the interior of said cas- 1n I5. In a hydrocarbon burner, a partially jacketed casing, the upper portion of which jacket is provided with means from which the same may be supplied with liquid fuel, a bafile Wall in such jacketed portion to restrain the free passage of fuel to the lower section of such jacket, the inner wall of such jacket ortion perforated to permit the passage of uel therethrough, a combustion chamber comprising a hollow porous refractory core removably carried within said casing, a vapor jet-producing means positioned at one end of said combustion chamber to project a vapor jet therethrough, an air draft shutter positioned at such end to re late the admission of air to such combustion chamber, means for supplying fuel oil to such jacketed portion of the casin In testimony whereof, I sign this specification.

WILLIAM M. HOFFMAN. 

